<–2/”>a >Violence against Women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women. The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, General Assembly Resolution, December 1993.
Domestic violence is one of the most common crimes against women which is inextricably linked to the perpetuation of patriarchy. Domestic violence refers to violence against women not only in matrimonial homes but also in live-in relationship. Domestic violence is recognized as the significant barrier in the path of Empowerment/”>Women Empowerment and also skews the democratic set up of the Polity. India has specifically legislated Domestic Violence Act in 2005 to reduce the violence against women but the same has bore mixed result as of now.
Domestic Violence: The term domestic violence includes elaborately all forms of actual abuse or threat of abuse of physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic nature that can harm, cause injury to, endanger the Health, safety, life, limb or well-being, either mental or physical of the aggrieved person. The definition is wide enough to cover child sexual abuse, harassment caused to a woman or her relatives by unlawful dowry demands, and marital rape.
Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or sexual. Being victimized by a situation of domestic violence can create feelings of helplessness and even self-doubt.
Physical abuse includes:
? pushing, throwing, kicking
? slapping, grabbing, hitting, punching, beating, tripping, battering, bruising, choking, shaking
? pinching, biting
? holding, restraining, confinement
? breaking bones
? assault with a weapon such as a knife or gun
? burning
? murder
Verbal or nonverbal abuse of a spouse or intimate partner may include:
? threatening or intimidating to gain compliance
? destruction of the victim‘s personal property and possessions, or threats to do so
? violence to an object (such as a wall or piece of furniture) or pet, in the presence of the intended victim, as
? a way of instilling fear of further violence
? yelling or screaming
? name-calling
? constant harassment
? embarrassing, making fun of, or mocking the victim, either alone within the household, in public, or in front of family or friends
? criticizing or diminishing the victim‘s accomplishments or goals
? not trusting the victim‘s decision-making
? telling the victim that they are worthless on their own, without the abuser
? excessive possessiveness, isolation from friends and family
? excessive checking-up on the victim to make sure they are at home or where they said they would be saying hurtful things while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and using the substance as an excuse to say the hurtful things
? blaming the victim for how the abuser acts or feels
? making the victim remain on the premises after a fight, or leaving them somewhere else after a fight, just to ?teach them a lesson?
? making the victim feel that there is no way out of the relationship
Sexual abuse includes:
? sexual assault: forcing someone to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity
? sexual harassment: ridiculing another person to try to limit their sexuality or reproductive choices sexual exploitation (such as forcing someone to look at pornography, or forcing someone to participate in pornographic film-making)
Basic Features of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- Apart from the victim herself, the complaint regarding an act or act of domestic violence can also be lodged by any person who has a reason to believe that‘ such an act was committed or is being committed. This means that neighbors, social workers, relatives can also take initiative. And the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act make sure that no criminal, civil or any other liability‘ lies on the informer, if the complaint is lodged in good faith.
- The magistrate has been given powers to permit the aggrieved women to stay in her place of adobe and she can not be evicted by her male relatives in the retaliation.
- The respondent can be prohibited from dispossessing the aggrieved person or in any other manner disturbing her possessions, entering the aggrieved person‘s place of work, if the aggrieved person is a child, the school. Also magistrate can bar the respondent to communicate with aggrieved person by ?personal, oral, written, electronic or telephonic contact.
- The magistrate can impose monthly payments of maintenance. The respondent can also be ordered to meet the expenses incurred and losses suffered by the aggrieved person and any child of aggrieved person as a result of domestic violence. It can also cover loss of earnings, medical expenses, loss or damage to property. Under Sec 22 magistrate can make the respondent pay compensation and damages for injuries including mental torture and emotional distress caused by act(s) of domestic violence.
- Penalty up to one-year and/or a fine up to Rs. 20,000/- can be imposed under under the act. The offence is also considered cognizable and non-bailable while Sec 32 (2) goes even says that under the sole testimony of the aggrieved person, the court may conclude that an offence has been committed by the accused?.
- The act ensures speedy Justice as the court has to start proceedings and have the first hearing within 3 days of the complaint being filed in the court and every case must be disposed off within a period of sixty days of the first hearing.
- The act makes provisions for state to provide for protection officers and status of service providers‘ and ?medical facility‘.
- Chapter 4 Sec 16 allows the magistrate to hold proceedings in camera if either party to the proceedings so desires.
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The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to provide for more effective protection of women from domestic violence. The Act defines domestic violence to include physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, economic, or any other form of abuse. It also provides for a Protection Officer to be appointed in each district to provide assistance to women who are victims of domestic violence. The Act also provides for a Domestic Violence Court to be set up in each district to try cases of domestic violence.
The PDVA was enacted in response to the growing problem of domestic violence against women in India. The Act was based on the recommendations of the National Commission for Women, which had found that domestic violence was a serious problem that was not being adequately addressed by the law. The PDVA was the first law in India to specifically address domestic violence.
The PDVA defines domestic violence as any act, omission or commission by a person, against a woman who is or has been in a domestic relationship with him, which causes or is likely to cause her harm or injury, whether physical, mental, emotional, verbal, sexual or economic. The Act also defines a domestic relationship as a relationship between two persons who are:
- Husband and wife
- Living together as husband and wife
- In a live-in relationship
- Related by blood or marriage
- Having a child in common
- Cohabiting or having cohabited in the past
The PDVA provides for a number of protections for women who are victims of domestic violence. These protections include:
- Protection orders: A Protection Order is an order that can be issued by a court to protect a woman from domestic violence. A Protection Order can prohibit the abuser from contacting the woman, coming near her, or threatening her.
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Remedies: The PDVA also provides for a number of remedies for women who are victims of domestic violence. These remedies include:
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Compensation: A woman who is a victim of domestic violence can seek compensation from the abuser.
- Maintenance: A woman who is a victim of domestic violence can seek maintenance from the abuser.
- Custody of children: A woman who is a victim of domestic violence can seek custody of her children.
- Protection from eviction: A woman who is a victim of domestic violence cannot be evicted from her home by the abuser.
The PDVA also provides for a number of procedural safeguards for women who are victims of domestic violence. These safeguards include:
- The right to legal aid: A woman who is a victim of domestic violence has the right to legal aid.
- The Right to Privacy: The proceedings under the PDVA are to be conducted in camera.
- The right to confidentiality: The identity of the woman who is a victim of domestic violence is to be kept confidential.
The PDVA has been a landmark law in the fight against domestic violence in India. The Act has helped to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence and has provided much-needed protection for women who are victims of domestic violence. However, the PDVA is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that the Act is not widely known or understood. Many women who are victims of domestic violence are not aware of the Act or of the protections that it provides. Another challenge is that the implementation of the PDVA has been uneven. Some states have been more successful in implementing the Act than others.
Despite these challenges, the PDVA has made a significant impact on the lives of women in India. The Act has helped to reduce the incidence of domestic violence and has provided much-needed support to women who are victims of domestic violence. The PDVA is a powerful tool in the fight against domestic violence and it is essential that it is implemented effectively to ensure that all women in India are protected from violence.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about domestic violence:
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What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is any act of physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse that occurs between adults who are or have been in an intimate relationship. -
How common is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people in the United States each year. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. -
What are the signs of domestic violence?
There are many signs that someone may be experiencing domestic violence, including:- Physical abuse, such as hitting, kicking, or choking
- Emotional abuse, such as name-calling, threats, or intimidation
- Sexual abuse, such as forced intercourse or other unwanted sexual contact
- Financial abuse, such as controlling the victim’s Money or preventing her from working
- Isolation, such as preventing the victim from seeing friends or family
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What can I do if I know someone who is experiencing domestic violence?
If you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, there are many things you can do to help. You can:- Offer your support and let them know that you are there for them
- Encourage them to seek help from a professional
- Help them to develop a safety plan
- Stay calm and supportive, even if they are angry or upset
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Where can I get help if I am experiencing domestic violence?
If you are experiencing domestic violence, there are many Resources available to help you. You can:- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website at thehotline.org
- Contact your local police department
- Contact a domestic violence shelter
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What are the laws against domestic violence?
All 50 states have laws against domestic violence. These laws vary from state to state, but they typically include provisions for arrest, prosecution, and protection orders. -
What are the consequences of domestic violence?
Domestic violence can have serious consequences for both the victim and the abuser. Victims of domestic violence may experience physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial problems. Abusers may face criminal charges, jail time, and loss of custody of their children. -
How can I prevent domestic violence?
There are many things that can be done to prevent domestic violence, including:- Raising awareness about domestic violence
- Providing Education and training on domestic violence
- Promoting healthy relationships
- Providing support for victims of domestic violence
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Where can I learn more about domestic violence?
There are many resources available to learn more about domestic violence, including:- The National Domestic Violence Hotline website at thehotline.org
- The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website at ncadv.org
- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website at RAINN.org
Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of domestic violence and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:
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Which of the following is not a form of domestic violence?
(A) Physical violence
(B) Sexual violence
(C) Emotional abuse
(D) Economic abuse -
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, defines domestic violence as:
(A) Any act of violence or abuse, whether physical, sexual, emotional, or economic, that is perpetrated by a man against a woman who is his wife, former wife, or live-in partner, or against a woman with whom he has a child, or against a woman who is related to him by blood or marriage, or against a woman who is his employee, or against a woman who is living in his household.
(B) Any act of violence or abuse, whether physical, sexual, emotional, or economic, that is perpetrated by a woman against a man who is her husband, former husband, or live-in partner, or against a man with whom she has a child, or against a man who is related to her by blood or marriage, or against a man who is her employee, or against a man who is living in her household.
(C) Any act of violence or abuse, whether physical, sexual, emotional, or economic, that is perpetrated by a man or a woman against a person who is their spouse, former spouse, or live-in partner, or against a person with whom they have a child, or against a person who is related to them by blood or marriage, or against a person who is their employee, or against a person who is living in their household.
(D) None of the above. -
Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, a woman can seek protection from domestic violence by filing a complaint with a Protection Officer. The Protection Officer can then issue a protection order, which can include orders for the abuser to stay away from the victim, to pay maintenance, and to surrender any weapons.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, has been criticized for being too narrow in its definition of domestic violence. Some critics argue that the Act should include other forms of violence, such as stalking and cyber-bullying.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, has been praised for its effectiveness in reducing domestic violence. Some studies have shown that the Act has led to a decrease in the number of domestic violence cases reported to the police.
(A) True
(B) False
I hope these MCQs were helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.